Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging

Combined imaging techniques yield comprehensive results

Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging combines and refines the best of several analytical techniques in a single instrument platform to better understand cellular function and physiology or monitor the distribution of drug compounds throughout a tissue or organism.

By integrating MALDI,™ DESI, and ion mobility mass spectrometry techniques and informatics workflows into a single system, Waters Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging systems provide a level of detail and molecular information that exceeds what is available from any single individual imaging technique.

Discover, identify and measure the spatial distribution of target molecules

Effectively study a wide range of large and small molecules

Perform Imaging studies without the need for labeled probes

Extract the maximum level of information from a single sample

Obtain definitive molecular distribution of key compounds

With Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging capabilities, new insights into the underlying mechanisms of cancer, cardiovascular and neuro-degenerative diseases can be found by measuring the trafficking of molecules in cells and tissues. In other studies, Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging can be used to identify different tissue types or differentiate diseased and normal based on their molecular composition.

Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging Techniques

Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging systems are available using either the Xevo G2 XS or SYNAPT G2 Si mass spectrometry platforms. These Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging systems are still entirely capable of being used as standard ESI-TOF instruments for other applications beyond molecular imaging if so desired.

Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging systems can utilize a combination of Mass Spectrometry techniques which are well suited to analyze particular types of molecules (peptides, lipids, small molecule metabolites, sugars, etc.). These techniques complement each other to deliver the most comprehensive level of information possible with MS Imaging.

The techniques that can be incorporated into a Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging system are:

MALDI Imaging utilizes a laser based, direct ionization method to analyze molecules from a chemical matrix coated sample. MALDI Imaging is considered the standard technique for Imaging applications using MS. The technique provides:

Excellent spatial resolution

Ability to analyze a wide variety of molecules

Images larger molecules particularly well

Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) Imaging

DESI Imaging utilizes an ionized solvent spray as a direct, no sample prep required ionization technique for imaging applications. Waters has taken traditional DESI imaging and enhanced its capabilities to provide new levels of usability and performance for this innovative imaging method. Some of the advantages of using DESI Imaging include:

Ion mobility can add another dimension of molecular separation to imaging studies. This technique is capable of resolving molecules for analysis based on their size and shape. Useful for removing interferences or isolating target molecules for more intense scrutiny, Ion mobility is a unique method to enhance the analytical capabilities of an Imaging system with even greater molecular discrimination. Ion mobility can be used to:

Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging System Components

The SYNAPT platform is a highly capable and extremely flexible instrument that can be equipped with a variety of options (MALDI, DESI, Ion Mobility) for imaging studies. This potent system can be customized in any number of configurations to best suit the performance needs of almost any laboratory. Delivering exceptional performance in any imaging modality, the SYNAPT G2 Si is the only system capable of utilizing the full power of Ion mobility in conjunction with imaging techniques. Ideal for proteomics, metabolomics, cell biology, biochemistry and even clinical research pathology and histology applications, a SYNAPT based Full Spectrum Molecular Imaging is the ultimate solution in MS based imaging.

The Xevo G2-XS QTof is a high performance, highly sensitivity platform designed to handle some of the most challenging imaging studies. By utilizing the excellent analytical capabilities of this instrument in conjunction with the DESI imaging technique, a Full Spectrum Imaging system can be created for use when studying small molecule distribution throughout samples and in tissues especially for lipidomics, metabolomics and drug distribution studies.

This powerful, yet intuitive software package brings all the data analysis and sophisticated statistical tools required for rapid and effective data analysis of what can be very complex imaging data. Simple to use and created especially with MS Imaging in mind, HDI software can be used to interrogate data in a number of dimensions and can readily produce the spectacular and informative images and statistics that make MS imaging such a promising technique.